Leica M10 Monochrom

Leica M10 Monochrom

The Leica M10 Monochrom is a digital Leica M rangefinder camera introduced by Leica Camera AG in 2020. It is the third generation of Leica’s dedicated black-and-white digital M cameras, following the original M Monochrom and the M Monochrom Typ 246 [1][2].

The camera uses the Leica M bayonet mount with an additional sensor for 6-bit lens coding. It accepts Leica M lenses and compatible M-mount lenses, while retaining the traditional optical rangefinder focusing system of the Leica M series [1].

The M10 Monochrom is built around a monochrome CMOS sensor with an active area of approximately 24 × 36 mm. The official instruction manual lists DNG resolution as 7864 × 5200 pixels, equal to 40.89 megapixels, while JPEG output is listed at 7840 × 5184 pixels for the full-resolution setting [1].

The sensor omits a color filter array and low-pass filter, allowing the camera to record luminance information directly for black-and-white photography. This gives the M10 Monochrom its distinctive high-resolution rendering, fine tonal separation and strong high-ISO performance [1][2].

The ISO range is ISO 160 to ISO 100,000, adjustable in 1/3-stop increments or through automatic ISO control. This was a major increase over the earlier M Monochrom Typ 246 and helped define the M10 Monochrom as a dedicated low-light black-and-white camera [1][2].

The viewfinder is a bright-line optical rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation. It displays paired framelines for 35/135mm, 28/90mm and 50/75mm lenses, with automatic switching when a lens is mounted. The finder magnification is 0.73x, with an effective rangefinder base of 50.6 mm [1].

Mechanically, the M10 Monochrom uses an electronically controlled metal blade focal-plane shutter with vertical movement. In aperture-priority mode, shutter speeds run continuously from 16 minutes to 1/4000 second. In manual mode, speeds run from 8 seconds to 1/4000 second, with extended long-exposure settings up to 16 minutes. Flash synchronization is available at 1/180 second [1].

History

Development and Launch

The Leica M10 Monochrom was introduced in January 2020 as the monochrome member of the M10 generation. It followed the CCD-based original M Monochrom and the CMOS-based M Monochrom Typ 246, while adopting the slimmer M10 body platform and updated 0.73x rangefinder [2][3].

Position in the M10 Family

The M10 Monochrom is closely related to the Leica M10-P in body concept and handling. It shares the quiet shutter character, slim digital M body, touchscreen rear display and reduced front branding approach, but replaces the color sensor with a dedicated monochrome sensor [2][3].

The camera has no video recording function and remains focused on still photography. It uses the Leica Maestro II processor, SD/SDHC/SDXC storage, a 3-inch rear TFT touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity for use with Leica FOTOS [1].

Sensor and Image Quality

The monochrome sensor is the defining technical feature. Because it lacks a color filter array, each photosite records brightness information directly rather than filtered color data. This avoids demosaicing and contributes to the camera’s high apparent sharpness and tonal precision [1][2].

The official instruction manual lists DNG files at 40–60 MB and JPEG files at 10–20 MB for full-resolution images, depending on subject detail and content. DNG files are recorded at 14-bit color depth, while JPEG files are recorded at 8-bit [1].

Body and Handling

The M10 Monochrom has an all-metal die-cast magnesium body with brass top and bottom plates in black chrome finish. The technical data sheet lists dimensions of 139 × 38.5 × 80 mm and a weight of approximately 660 g with battery. The instruction manual lists the same dimensions but gives the weight as approximately 675 g with battery, so published Leica documents differ slightly on the weight [1][4].

The body uses the BP-SCL5 lithium-ion battery, a standard ISO accessory shoe with additional contacts, a stainless-steel tripod thread in the base and a 3-inch rear display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass [1].

Relationship to Leica M Monochrom Typ 246

The M10 Monochrom should be kept separate from the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246. The Typ 246 uses a 24MP monochrome CMOS sensor and the larger M Typ 240-generation body, while the M10 Monochrom uses a 40.89MP monochrome CMOS sensor, a slimmer M10-generation body, higher ISO ceiling, 0.73x finder and Wi-Fi connectivity [1][2].

Relationship to Leica M11 Monochrom

The M10 Monochrom should also be distinguished from the Leica M11 Monochrom. The M11 Monochrom uses a later 60MP BSI CMOS monochrome sensor, 256GB internal memory, USB-C connectivity and the M11-generation body concept. The M10 Monochrom remains the 40MP M10-generation model with Type No. 6376 and order number 20050 [1][5].

Identification

The Leica M10 Monochrom is identified by its M10 Monochrom top-plate marking, black chrome body finish, absence of the red front logo, 0.73x optical rangefinder, 3-inch rear touchscreen, ISO dial on the top plate, Leica M bayonet mount and Type No. 6376.

Common listing names include Leica M10 Monochrom, Leica M10M, Leica M10 Mono, Leica M10 Monochrome, Leica M10 Monochrom Typ 6376 and Leica M10 Monochrom 20050. These should be treated as alternate names for the same base model.

Collector Notes

The Leica M10 Monochrom is valued because it combines classic optical M rangefinder handling with a high-resolution dedicated black-and-white sensor. It is especially attractive to photographers who prefer monochrome files, high ISO flexibility, minimalist body design and traditional manual focusing.

Collectors and buyers should check the rangefinder alignment, sensor condition, shutter operation, rear touchscreen, ISO dial, hot shoe contacts, battery compartment, SD card slot, Wi-Fi function, firmware status and overall body wear. Because it is a digital camera, electronic condition is as important as mechanical condition.

The Leica M10 Monochrom should be treated as a separate M-mount digital camera because its monochrome 40.89MP sensor, Type 6376 designation, order number 20050 and M10-generation body platform make it distinct from both the standard Leica M10 and earlier Monochrom models.

Sources

• [1] Leica Camera AG. Leica M10 Monochrom Instruction Manual. https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/pm-74236-Leica-M10-Monochrom_Instructions_en.pdf
• [2] Leica Camera AG. Leica M10 Monochrom Technical Data. https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/pm-55423-20050__M10Mono_technData_en.pdf
• [3] Red Dot Forum. Leica Announces M10 Monochrom with 40MP Sensor. https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/01/leica-announces-m10-monochrom-with-40mp-sensor/
• [4] Leica Camera AG. Leica M10 Monochrom Details. https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/cameras/m/m10-monochrom/details
• [5] Leica Camera AG. Leica M11 Monochrom Technical Data. https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/pm-93572-EN_Tech-Data_M11-Monochrom.pdf